Bangladesh, India plan to resume cross-border passenger trains by October

Bangladesh and India are planning to resume cross-border passenger train services by October 2026, with three major routes expected to restart after being suspended for more than two years, railway officials said.

The services covered by the planned resumption are the Maitree Express between Dhaka and Kolkata, the Mitali Express and the Bandhan Express.

Passenger train operations between the two countries were suspended on 19 July 2024, shortly before the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on 5 Aug. Although political normalcy has gradually returned to Bangladesh, the passenger rail services have remained suspended, says the Times of India.

Railway authorities from Bangladesh and India are due to hold a two-day annual meeting in Dhaka starting Tuesday, where officials will discuss arrangements for restarting the services.

Bangladesh is also expected to propose a new passenger train service linking Rajshahi with Kolkata during the meeting, according to officials.

The country is further seeking to reroute the Maitree Express through the Padma Bridge instead of the Jamuna Bridge, which has historically been used by the service.

The Padma Bridge, which opened during Hasina's tenure, is expected to be a key issue in discussions on the future routing of the Maitree Express.

Diplomatic ties

The planned restoration of passenger rail links comes as Bangladesh and India seek to maintain bilateral engagement following a period of political strain.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi said on Monday that he was confident about the relationship between the two countries.

The two countries "don't only share borders, we share dreams", Trivedi said, adding that "people-to-people relationships are important."

Trivedi also said the prime minister of Bangladesh has a standing invitation to visit India and that the visit would take place at the "right time."